Matas Buzelis shifted to a new position in Chicago’s starting five.
The Chicago Bulls have been searching for the perfect formula to unlock the potential of their roster, and on October 16, 2025, head coach Billy Donovan may have struck gold. In a bold move during a preseason matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Donovan shook up the starting lineup, giving fans what they’ve been clamoring for: a new role for 20-year-old phenom Matas Buzelis. The result? A performance that has the NBA buzzing and Bulls fans dreaming of a breakout season.
A New Role for Matas Buzelis
Matas Buzelis, widely regarded as the Bulls’ closest thing to a future superstar, has a versatile skill set that demands creative deployment. With a glut of talented wings like Isaac Okoro and Patrick Williams, many expected Donovan to experiment with a small-ball lineup, potentially featuring Buzelis at center. Instead, Donovan flipped the script, moving Buzelis to small forward and pairing Jalen Smith with Nikola Vucevic in a twin-towers frontcourt alongside Josh Giddey and Tre Jones.
The decision raised eyebrows, especially given Smith’s limited role last season, where he averaged just 8.2 points and 5.6 rebounds in 15.0 minutes per game. But Donovan’s gamble paid off spectacularly, proving that sometimes the unconventional choice is the right one.
A Dominant Display
The new starting five was nothing short of electric against a Timberwolves team that boasted one of the NBA’s stingiest defenses last season. Buzelis, Smith, and Vucevic combined for an impressive 18-for-34 (52.9%) from the field, while the starting unit as a whole shot 26-for-50 (52.0%) overall and a scorching 20-for-29 (68.9%) in the paint. Though their three-point shooting (4-for-18) left room for improvement, their dominance inside was undeniable.
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Jalen Smith, who had fallen out of the rotation late last season, erupted for 15 of his 35 preseason points, adding five rebounds and three blocks while posting a +4 plus-minus. Nikola Vucevic, coming off a rough -26 performance against Denver, bounced back with 13 points and 10 rebounds. But the star of the night was Buzelis, who delivered a thrilling 19 points and two blocks, showcasing the dynamic play that has fans so excited about his future.
The defensive impact was equally impressive. Smith and Buzelis, who led the Bulls in blocks last season, combined for five swats, disrupting Minnesota’s offense at every turn. Even Josh Giddey, who nearly notched a triple-double with 14 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists, showed improvement with a -12 plus-minus compared to his -22 against Denver.
Why It Worked
Donovan’s decision to start Smith alongside Vucevic was a masterstroke, especially with injuries sidelining key players like Coby White and Isaac Okoro. The two-big lineup provided size, rebounding, and rim protection without sacrificing offensive fluidity. Buzelis’ shift to small forward allowed him to leverage his versatility, attacking from the perimeter while still contributing defensively.
Facing a Timberwolves squad featuring stars like Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, and Anthony Edwards—all of whom played significant minutes—this was no easy test. Yet the Bulls’ new-look starting five passed with flying colors, proving they could hang with one of the league’s elite defenses in a high-stakes preseason tune-up.
A Glimpse of the Future?
While this was just an exhibition game, the performance offers a tantalizing glimpse of what the Bulls could achieve with this lineup. The combination of Buzelis’ star potential, Smith’s surprising resurgence, and Vucevic’s steady presence creates a balanced unit that can score, defend, and compete with the NBA’s best. Giddey’s playmaking and Jones’ defensive tenacity round out a group that looks ready to make waves.
Of course, the regular season will bring tougher challenges, and there’s no guarantee this lineup will replicate its preseason success. But for one night, Billy Donovan’s bold experiment sent a message: the Bulls are ready to shake up the NBA. Fans have been begging for change, and Donovan delivered. If this game is any indication, Chicago’s new starting five could be the key to unlocking a thrilling season.